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Post by smuckersmom on Aug 9, 2004 11:48:28 GMT -5
My daughter just bought her first truck from her aunt. Its a 1977 Scottsdale Chevy. We cant figure out what is the matter with it. It had run perfectly till one day they came home from work parked it and turned it off. It has never started since. Any ideas where to start?
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Post by BowtieGuy on Aug 9, 2004 13:30:49 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, glad to have ya with us. Hope you enjoy the site.
Are you sure your not getting fire to the plugs? If so then check to see if your getting a 12 volt feed to the distributor. If so and still no fire at the plugs then coil is bad. Does it have an HEI distributor or an external coil distributor?
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Post by smuckersmom on Aug 9, 2004 14:41:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. Not to sound like a dumb women but could you give me a idea how I check for the things you told me to check? Yes I do know what spark plugs are and were they are but I dont have a clue how to check that or were to check for the 12 volt feed. Not sure about your other question. I dont have the truck over here yet so I can find out. Would that make a difference as to the things you told me to check wether it was a HEI or a external.
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Post by BowtieGuy on Aug 9, 2004 14:45:53 GMT -5
To check if the plugs are getting fire, pull one out of the head hook the plug wire up to it and lay the plug on something metal. This is best if there is someone to help you. Have one turn the engine over trying to crank it while the other watches the spark plug. You should see a spark in the end of the plug. If it is a blue colored spark then its working fine, if its an orangish color rhen the coil is going bad. I will find some pictures of an HEI and external coil distributor and post to show you the difference.
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Post by BowtieGuy on Aug 9, 2004 14:56:09 GMT -5
The first 2 pictures here are of an HEI distributor, the black box on top is the coil. This might be different colors but same shape.   The next picture is of an external coil Distributor cap. The plug in in the middle is where the plug wire that looks like a spark plug wire comes from the coil usually mounted on the firewall.  Hope this helps if not let me know and I will try to find something better to show you. |
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Post by smuckersmom on Aug 9, 2004 14:56:21 GMT -5
thanks a bunch  Wont know if it works till later in the week but sure will let you know. |
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Post by BowtieGuy on Aug 9, 2004 15:03:14 GMT -5
On the two top pictures you see some wires coming out of the bottom of the ditributor cap going to the side. If you have this type there will also be a single red wire on the outside of them all. This is where you will check for a 12 volt supply. You can check this by unplugging it and with the ignition key on touch it with either a test light or voltage meter. Make sure the other end of the testing device is grounded good though. |
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Wont know if it works till later in the week but sure will let you know.